Too Late, Alpha: I Am Free Now

Elara Nightwind POV:

From the window of my study, I could hear the roar of the celebration. Cheers and howls echoed across the pack grounds, a symphony of victory for their new, undisputed Alpha. My Alpha. My husband.

But in here, there was only silence.

The only sound was the scratch of the silver-tipped pen against the ancient parchment. I leaned over the heavy oak desk, my hand steady as I drew the final flourish on my name.

*Elara Nightwind.*

Not Stonecrest. I had never taken his name, not in my heart. After thirteen years of a hollow, loveless mating, the name felt like a brand I refused to bear.

My inner wolf, Lyra, was quiet within me. For years, she had raged and mourned, a storm trapped inside my ribs. But tonight, she was unnervingly calm. *It is time,* she whispered, her voice a soothing balm on my fractured soul.

The door creaked open. My assistant, Poppy Finch, stepped inside, balancing a steaming mug of chamomile tea. Her sunny, optimistic scent of fresh linen and citrus was soured with worry. Her eyes, usually a bright, hopeful blue, widened in horror as they fell upon the two scrolls laid out on my desk. She went pale.

"Luna," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Are you... are you really going through with this? The Alpha, he just..."

I looked up from my work, my gaze meeting hers. My expression felt as placid and unmovable as a frozen lake. "It's because he just secured his power that I can, Poppy," I said softly. "My promise is fulfilled."

With deliberate care, I rolled the two identical scrolls. I took a black silk ribbon—the color of a contract's end—and tied them with a neat, firm bow. There was a finality in the simple action that made my chest feel lighter than it had in years.

My private cell phone, the one Ryker didn't know about, buzzed on the corner of the desk. A text from my lawyer, Leo Hale.

*Everything is ready. We can proceed at your command.*

I typed back a swift reply. *Council chamber in ten minutes.*

Poppy's eyes welled with tears. "But you'll have nothing," she choked out. "He'll leave you with nothing."

My fingers drifted to my wrist, to the faded, woven bracelet I never took off. It was the only thing I had from my life before Stonecrest, before him. It was a reminder of the girl I used to be, the girl I was determined to find again.

"No, Poppy," I corrected her gently. "I'll have the only thing I've ever wanted."

Freedom.

A sharp, commanding voice cut through the quiet. "Elara! The pack is waiting for their Luna!" It was the Beta, Ryker’s second-in-command, his tone impatient.

I ignored him. I held one of the scrolls out to Poppy. "This is your copy," I said. "Just in case."

I stood, smoothing down the front of my simple, dark blue dress. I took one last, deep breath. The air